For those who haven't come across this word before, 'hiraeth' is a Welsh word and doesn't have a direct English translation. Yet, we all will have experienced it.
Although I spent the weekend in Malvern, which is where I grew up, this afternoon I still felt the pang of longing for this place. For two reasons - firstly some recent posts by Patient Gardener, who lives there and has taken some lovely photos of the Hills in their autumn clothes. And secondly when I was listening to a short radio programme about Edward Elgar this afternoon and his love for the local area. There are lots of theories about the Enigma Variations, including that the length of each was related to the size and shape of each of the hills in the range.
The hills have a fascinating geology, history and folklore - stay out of the shadow of Raggedstone Hill!
5 comments:
Hi Happy, thanks for this. I read several links and was impressed with the history of these hills. I can understand your feelings for them having grown up there too.
Frances
http://fairegarden.wordpress.com/
It is such a good word isn't it. Says it like it is really. I am lucky - I have returned "home" .... having lived away for longer than I have lived here.
K
I have just clicked on your link for the word Hiraeth.
Love the poem.
K
What a good word to describe that longing...I may not be able to pronounce it but I feel like I get it or have felt it before. Thank you for the links...very interesting and a beautiful photo of Raggedstone Hill.
Gail
Hi - nice to hear you still love Malvern. I did smile when I read your comment that you fell into Earnslaw Quarry when you were doing your A levels. My youngest had to walk across the middle of it (apparently there is a sort of raised path) when he was helping at the outdoor centre earlier this year.
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